“As 1981 rolled into 1982, the band was pushing , and I was no doubt reaching a crisis stage health-wise. To this day, looking at the cover of One Step Closer, that beautiful photo by Norman Seeff of us a Malibu beach at twilight, I can’t help but see the toll that alcohol and and drugs had taken on me by then. That photo, and a passport photo I took around that time, still looks to me like I had recently been beaten about the face with two-by-fours. The blackouts, the seizures, and the strained personal relationships–all of it was somehow still not enough to get me to admit my life was becoming increasingly unmanageable.” (p. 187)
And right about this time, Michael McDonald and the Doobie Brothers broke up just as their album hit Number One and they had a Number One single. Talk about Bad Timing!
What a Fool Believes is an honest autobiography of a successful singer who had a lot of problems. Michael McDonald dropped out of high school because of his struggles with attention deficit disorder. McDonald’s Big Break happened in the 1970s when he was asked to tour with Steely Dan. Both Donald Fagan and Walter Becker found McDonald’s unique voice useful in several songs like “Bad Sneakers,” “Black Friday,” and “Kid Charlemagne.”
McDonald’s luck ran out after a year when Fagan and Becker decided they didn’t want to tour any more. That’s when McDonald caught another Big Break when he was invited to join the Doobie Brothers. McDonald’s time with the Doobies brought both success and plenty of conflict with the other members of the band.
What a Fool Believes includes dozens of stories about the singers and groups Micheal McDonald worked with over his 50+ year career. McDonald doesn’t hold anything back about his drug-filled Life and his personal struggles. Very revealing. GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
| 1 | No Lookin’ Back Bass – Willie Weeks Drums – Jeff Porcaro Guitar – David Pack Soloist [Tom Drum] – George Perilli Written-By – Ed Sanford, Kenny Loggins, Michael Mcdonald | 3:51 | |
| 2 | I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) Backing Vocals – Maureen McDonald Bass – Louis Johnson Clavinet – Greg Phillinganes Drums – Jeff Porcaro Guitar – Steve Lukather Written-By – Ed Sanford, Jerry Leiber, Michael Mcdonald, Mike Stoller | 3:42 | |
| 3 | I Gotta Try Backing Vocals – Kenny Loggins Bass – Willie Weeks Drums – Steve Gadd Guitar – Steve Lukather Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa, Ted Templeman Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Greg Phillinganes Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker Written-By – Kenny Loggins, Michael Mcdonald | 3:53 | |
| 4 | Our Love (Theme From No Mercy) (Single Version) Bass – Abraham Laboriel Congas – Bobby LaKind Drums – Jeff Porcaro Guitar – Steve Lukather Percussion – Jeff Porcaro Synthesizer – Brian Mann | 4:22 | |
| 5 | Yah Mo B There (Single Version) Drums – John Robinson (2) Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa Synthesizer – James Ingram, Michael Boddicker, Rod Temperton Vocals – James Ingram Voice [African] – Quincy Jones Written-By – James Ingram, Michael Mcdonald, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton | 4:31 | |
| 6 | On My Own Backing Vocals – Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Clydene Jackson, Evette Benton, Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters Bass – Neil Stubenhaus Drums – Carlos Vega Guitar – Dann Huff Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa Piano [Acoustic] – Burt Bacharach Synthesizer – David Foster, Peter Wolf (3) Synthesizer [DX-7] – Greg Phillinganes Vocals – Patti LaBelle Written-By – Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager Bayer Sager | 4:39 | |
| 7 | By Heart Bass – Willie Weeks Drums – Jeff Porcaro Drums [Simmons Toms] – Staff Fieldhouse Guitar – David Pack Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa Programmed By [Drums] – George Perilli Programmed By [Emulator] – Chris Pelonis Synthesizer – David Pack Synthesizer [Horns] – Scott Plunkett Written-By – Chuck Sabatino, David Pack, Michael Mcdonald Bass – Willie Weeks | 4:31 | |
| 8 | Bad Times Bass – Nathan East Drums – Jeff Porcaro Guitar – David Pack Slide Guitar – Joe Walsh Synthesizer – Michael Hanna Written-By – Michael Mcdonald Bass – Nathan East | 4:23 | |
| 9 | Matters Of The Heart Acoustic Guitar – Dean Parks Backing Vocals – Alison Krauss, Vince Gill Finger Cymbals – Lenny Castro Programmed By [Drums] – Jimmy Bralower Triangle – Lenny Castro Written-By – Michael Mcdonald Acoustic Guitar – Dean Parks Backing Vocals – Alison Krauss, Vince GillFinger Cymbals – Lenny CastroProgrammed By [Drums] – Jimmy BralowerTriangle – Lenny Castro Written-By – Michael Mcdonald | 4:29 | |
| 10 | Sweet Freedom (Single Version) Arranged By [Horns] – Larry Williams, Rod Temperton Backing Vocals – Siedah Garrett Flute – David Boruff, Kim Hutchcroft Guitar – Michael Thompson, Paul Jackson Jr. Horns – Larry Williams Keyboards – Danny Sembello, Greg Phillinganes, Larry Williams, Rod Temperton, Tony Patler Saxophone – David Boruff, Kim Hutchcroft Synthesizer – Larry Williams Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Wells Christy Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2) Trumpet – Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey Written-By – Rod Temperton | 4:05 | |
| 11 | Get The Word Started Arranged By [Strings] – Paul Riser Backing Vocals – David Lasley, Harry Bowens, Kathy Walker, Sweet Pea Atkinson Bass – Charles Frichtel Congas – Debra Dobkin Drums – George Perilli Guitar – Bernie Chiaravalle Keyboards – Michael Hanna Soloist [Sax] – Vince Denham Written-By – David Pack, Michael Mcdonald | 5:40 | |
| 12 | Any Foolish Thing Backing Vocals – Chuck Sabatino Bass – Willie Weeks Drums – Jeff Porcaro Synthesizer – Chuck Sabatino Tenor Saxophone – Cornelius Bumpus Written-By – Chuck Sabatino, Michael McDonald | 4:24 | |
| 13 | Take It To Heart Arranged By – Paul Riser Backing Vocals – David Lasley, Sir Harry Bowens*, Sweet Pea Atkinson Drums – George Perilli Guitar – Bernie Chiaravalle Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Don Was, John Tesh, Michael Hanna, Michael Mason Sequenced By [Synthesizer] – Don Was, John Tesh, Michael Hanna, Michael Mason Sitar [Coral] – Bernie Chiaravalle Written-By – Diane Warren, Michael Mcdonald | 5:54 | |
| 14 | Higher Ground (Previously Unissued)Written-By – Stevie Wonder Written-By – Stevie Wonder | 4:03 | |
| 15 | Lost In The Parade Bass – Willie Weeks Drums – Jeff Porcaro Drums [Simmons] – Staff Fieldhouse Guitar – Robert Ford Synthesizer – Brian Mann (4) Written-By – Grady Walker, Michael Mcdonald | 3:48 | |
| 16 | Blink Of An Eye Alto Saxophone – Brandon Fields Arranged By [Horns] – David Frank Bass – Pino Palladino Bass [Synth] – Jeff Bova Clavinet – Jeff Bova Drums – George Perilli, John Robinson (2), Manu Katche*Organ [Hammond] – Benmont Tench Programmed By – David Frank Programmed By [Drums] – Jimmy Bralower Rhythm Guitar – Randy Jacobs, Robben Ford Soloist [Guitar] – Warren Haynes Synthesizer [Horns] – David Frank Tenor Saxophone – Albert Wing Trumpet – Lee Thornburg Written-By – George Perilli, Michael Mcdonald | 4:53 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Preface — ix
Love is a many-splendored thing — 1
My parents, Ray Charles, and Dr. Bilskey– 9
God, girls, and guitars — 18
Thank you, but that won’t be necessary — 27
New threads and New York City — 40
High school and marijuana (and not necessarily in that order) — 48
LA calls — 60
California dreams and a couple of nightmares — 65
One hit shy of a one-hit wonder — 78
What could possibly go wrong? — 89
Steely Dan and the (almost) murder of Aunt Mame — 97
The Dan’s European adventures — 106
Michael and Walter’s not-so-great adventure –118
Meet the Doobies — 123
Doobie or not doobie, that is the question — 133
Livin’ on the (It’s not my) fault line — 144
Minute by minute — 150
Don’t stop to watch the wheels come off — 163
Amy — 175
If that’s what it takes — 184
Our love — 196
Soundtracks, duets, and pigeons — 209
The million-dollar question — 217
In the blink of an eye — 230
Orientation day — 247
Nashville — 255
Tears to come — 268
As luck would have it — 274
Takin’ motown to the streets — 285
Through the many winters — 290
Doobie continued — 305
How do we land this thing? — 309
Michael McDonald Discography — 315
Acknowledgements — 323
ASlthough I like Steely Dan I have never liked The Doobie Brothers or McDonald as a solo artist. Just too middle of the road/easy listening for my tastes. I always lump the Doobie Brothers in with other bands/artists I dislike-Kansas, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Christopher Cross.
Steve, The Doobie Brothers sold over 48 million albums and won four Grammy Awards. The group changed styles several times and remained popular.
I like the Doobies and some of MM’s solo stuff—although I had no idea he’d had such a bad time with substance abuse. However, I’m not sure I like him enough for a whole book’s worth of him.
Deb, WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES is a quick read. I was interested in Michael McDonald’s stories of working with Quincy Jones, Don Was, David Foster, and dozens of groups and singers.
Well, his unique voice makes you listen even to the less good material, and at his best, he’s really good. We are fans and have seen him in concert a number of times. Do NOT see a comparison to Kansas or REO Speedwagon.
7/5/90 free concert at Midwood Field – former Assemblyman and then Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz put on two series of free concerts every summer for many years. We first went to Midwood Field, then when he moved to Seaside Park in Brighton Beach, we went there. Over the years we saw Del Shannon, America & Three Dog Night, Dion and Little Anthony, The Del Vikings with The Tokens & The Earls, The Turtles and Peter Noone, Linda Ronstadt, Blood Sweat & Tears, Dionne Warwick, Frankie Valli and Dion, and George Thorogood with Southside Johnny, the concert that closed down the series because it was TOO LOUD. (Needless to say, we loved it.)
Back to McDonald:
7/10/04 Hall & Oates were the headlines. Also Average White Band. Jones Beach
8/17/06 opened for Steely Dan. Jones Beach
9/19/09 opened for Boz Scaggs. Beacon
12/7/10 The Dukes of September (Donald Fagen, McDonald & Scaggs). Beacon
7/22/11 now Boz Scaggs opened for him/ Westbury Premier Th.
8/2/12 The Dukes of September again. Beacon
6/26/14 McDonald alone. Town Hall
8/21/18 McDonald alone. Rooftop at Pier 17 (immediately south of the Brooklyn Bridge)
6/28/19 opener was Chaka Khan. Westbury
6/22/22 Doobie Brothers’ 50th Anniversary. Jones Beach
We’ll be seeing him with the Doobies again, this time at Madison Square Garden, in August.
Jeff, like you, I admire Michael McDonald’s ability to sing with many groups and singers. Your list reveals his strengths and the variety of songs he can sing.
An interesting question Deb raises. How much do you have to like an artist to read a whole book about them? Well, I guess if it’s an interesting life you might dive in anyway. But probably it would not even draw your attention. I mostly read bios and memoirs about writers and female artists like Joni Mitchell. Or actors. But very few musicians since that is more alien to me never having played an instrument. And I always get the feel drugs and alcohol are going to play such a heavy role.
Patti, I’ll read a book like WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES in order to learn Michael McDonald’s thoughts about Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, Burt Bacharach, Diane Warren, and the dozens of other producers and singers he’s worked with. As I mentioned, I found WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES a quick and informative read.
The most recent music biography I read was Rickie Lee Jones’s LAST CHANCE TEXACO which was very good, an episodic trip through her life and musical influences (although the mother in me cringed at her stories of hitchhiking everywhere in the 1960s & 70s). I loved Keith Richards’s LIFE, and GIRLS LIKE US, which focused on Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon; but on the whole I don’t read a lot of musical biographies.
Yes, Keith’s book was surprisingly interesting, and loved GIRLS LIKE US.
George – I absolutely hate everything about him – his songs, his vocals. He ruined a good band, the Doobies!
Scott, I know a lot of people who feel the same way!